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The terror sect Boko Haram is “actively planning to kidnap” westerners to raise ransom money, the Foreign Office has warned.

It issued new travel advice for Nigeria after receiving reports that the group was plotting the kidnaps in the north east of the country.

America also warned its citizens about the risk, which it said was based on “credible” information. Both countries said the affected area is in the Bama local government area of Borno state, close to the border with Cameroon.

The warning underlines the fragility of security in northeast Nigeria, despite claims from the government and military that Boko Haram is a spent force.

“We have received reports that Boko Haram is actively planning to kidnap western foreign workers in Bama local government area of Borno state, along the Kumshe-Banki axis,” said the Foreign Office advice.

“If you are working in areas where there is a Boko Haram presence, especially in the north east of Nigeria, you should be alive to the potential risk of kidnapping as a means by the terrorist group to raise funds.”